NEW DELHI: To provide better amenities to passengers, Indian Railways is coming up with a policy for App based cab services that is likely to help railways is getting a revenue of Rs 300 crore annually.
The policy expected to be launched at 2000 railways station in metro and other major cities in March focuses on providing dedicated parking space to cabs like Uber and Ola so that passengers can just walk in to hire a cab. As of now there is a policy for radio cabs but people prefer App based cabs due to economical fares and easy availability.
“The plan is to offer parking space at railway stations. Railways earns Rs 125 crore at present from parking at all stations and the new policy will increase it to Rs 300 annually. The policy is in final stages and expected to be launched next month,” said a senior railway ministry official.
The policy is being prepared by the none-fare revenue directorate (NFR).
The official said that it is for benefit of passengers as they can go to dedicated parking space for cabs and hire one immediately. There are also plans to add cab services in railways integrated mobile app that is expected to be launched soon and passengers can book cab, tickets, food and hotel at one website.
The NFR directorate was created in the Railway Board with a mandate for enhancing revenues by 10 percent to 20 percent from non-tariff sources. Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu in January launched a series of policies that will look into different areas ranging from advertising in trains and other areas like bridges and other assets, setting up of ATMs at platforms, digital content and railway display network.